The Imprinted Maiden (18+)

Chapter Twenty-One

I didn't dream again the rest of the night. When I woke, the headache was gone, but I was still aching to move, not to mention still dizzy.

The boys mostly stayed by my side all day, not willing to leave for anything. That Nick man stayed nearby in case they needed anything, but he mostly stayed vacant from the house; his house. I thought it was kind of bad to keep him out of his own home, but he insisted and it seemed like Connor and Xain didn't mind it at all.

At that point, I was sure that if Nick wasn't an enemy, he was at least an ally. When he was around, he was kind of funny, always had stories to tell, and kept me smiling when the boys stayed silent.

And that's how it went over the next few days

When I was hungry, they fed me foods that could be easily swallowed. And when Nick mentioned soup, I was all for it. Unfortunately, the soup had to be made inside, at least thirty feet from my resting place. But that was fine. What I hated the most though, was having to take that distasteful medicine.

Thankfully, a few neck and lip kisses persuaded me to take the spoonfuls. By the fourth day, my health was stabilizing.

And I didn't pay attention to it; I was scared to. But slowly, surely, I was falling for the lover boy and the man with a chip on his back.

I was beginning to love hold their hands; breathing in the pine-cone scent of Connor's breath and the honeysuckle aroma of Xain's fur.

I noted the nicknames, their personal caresses and kisses. Xain liked them soft, but Connor liked firm and secure kisses.

Whenever Xain held my hand, he played with my fingertips, kissing them and tickling my palm a little.

Conner, he liked to lock fingers with me, gripping his hand tight enough as if to reassure both of us that he was right next to me, never wavering, never leaving.

When I had to use the restroom, they'd take turns, never making a face if they had to help me out, never complaining; just being there for me.

And at night, when I'd wake up from a nightmare, they'd still be beside me, holding my hands and telling me that they were there. I'd be drenching in sweat, close to crying. They'd nuzzle me, stay close, rest their heads on my body; anything to make me smile, to make me calm down.

I owed them big time. The brothers stayed by my side, helping me get better, feeding me, nurturing me. I owed Nick, of course, but he'd always give the thanks to Connor and Xain. The man was odd, to say the least.

And as for my health, I was almost fully healthy to finish the rest of our journey. It kind of upset me. I really liked Connor and Xain caring for me in the way they did. But at the same time, I knew we had to go.

I could see it in their eyes. They missed home, and they missed being near people they called family.

I understood that all too well.

~*~

On a rainy day, which was the fourth day, Xain had made me a layout of the whole house just so I'd know and because he was rather bored. "Right here, where you are, is near the front door. The doorway on your left leads to the hall, where the kitchen is right across. You make a right, you're leaving the house, you make a left, and that's where you'll find the bathing area and pantry, where he keeps the food. And... Speaking of washing you..."

He blushed a little, and I didn't understand until Connor cleared his throat. "I... can give you a bath if you're willing." There was a hopeful gleam in his eyes.